Author and activist Naomi Klein spoke to the Times about what she appreciates, and what she finds lacking, about the way the 'paper of record' covers climate change, the global economy, and other key issues. (Credit:Ed Kashi)

The article reports grimly that Americans didn’t shop as much as projected in December as if this is unequivocally negative, since we have an economic system that treats all market expansion as good and all contraction as bad.

But a dip in December shopping (which tends to be the most frantic and useless kind) is actually good news from a climate perspective. The article then says that more “upbeat” times are on the way because lower gas prices will free up cash for more shopping, including more car buying.

Once again, from a climate perspective, up is down.

We have a fundamental conflict between what the market demands and what the planet needs to remain stable, which is why the subtitle of my book is “Capitalism vs. the Climate.”

Further

Academics are increasingly, ingeniously fighting back against an Orwellian "Professor Watchlist" aimed at exposing "radical" teachers. The list has inspired online trolls to name their own suspects - Albus Dumbledore, Dr. Pepper, Mr. Spock - and a Watchlist Redux to honor not trash targets from Jesus to teachers daring to "think critically about power." Now 100 Notre Dame professors have asked to join the list in solidarity, proclaiming, "We wish to be counted among those you are watching."